Villanueva's first game as the starter

[Coach]

For his first game as a starter I thought he was decent. He did some good things and some bad things. Tamba Hali is a good pass rusher. He beat Villanueva for a sack.

Munchak will need to coach Villanueva up a bit. Villanueva needs to keep his feet alive at all times and learn how to grab and hold without being flagged. He also needs to keep his head up. When he bends down a bit, he doesn't recover well enough.

I'd say he's good enough to win with right now ( Not a weak link ), but needs to improve a bit before he's considered a solid starter.

 

[Hines57]

Kind of hard to fault him when the defense can pin their ears back and go full on rush every down late in the game. He was playing well prior to the sacks at the end of the game.

 

[steelhurt]

For a guy that who is not even close to being ready to be a starting LT in this league he played as well as I would have expected from him against a damn good pass rusher in Hali. You can't really fault the guy since he was pressed into service and wasn't ready for a starting position. I just can't help be more than a little concerned that he will be responsible for Ben's blind side. I just don't think this guy is the answer but he's all we have right now so we will sink or swiw with him.

 

[slashsteel]

For a guy that who is not even close to being ready to be a starting LT in this league he played as well as I would have expected from him against a damn good pass rusher in Hali. You can't really fault the guy since he was pressed into service and wasn't ready for a starting position. I just can't help be more than a little concerned that he will be responsible for Ben's blind side. I just don't think this guy is the answer but he's all we have right now so we will sink or swiw with him.

Against a great pass rusher late in the game, I would have cheated Heath over that way more....

 

[TDX27]

As far as he has come and being his first start, I will take it any day. The kid is a player and will only get better. I'm glad he made the team. I think he will be a mainstay on the O-line for many years.

 

[Litos]

For a guy that who is not even close to being ready to be a starting LT in this league he played as well as I would have expected from him against a damn good pass rusher in Hali. You can't really fault the guy since he was pressed into service and wasn't ready for a starting position. I just can't help be more than a little concerned that he will be responsible for Ben's blind side. I just don't think this guy is the answer but he's all we have right now so we will sink or swiw with him.

he might be the answer with more practice and playing time but right now of course he isn't. Yet as everyone here has pointed out he did well and there's a lot of upside for him.
Someone here please tell me that Beachum would have done much better against Hali, I really doubt it given his play level this season

 

[SteelerSask2]

When the linebacker doesn't have to check step at all for a releasing TE or back it is pretty tough. Among the best he would go against. They ran to his side several times. They got two sacks I think. The other may not have been on him.

 

[MTC]

For a guy that who is not even close to being ready to be a starting LT in this league he played as well as I would have expected from him against a damn good pass rusher in Hali. You can't really fault the guy since he was pressed into service and wasn't ready for a starting position. I just can't help be more than a little concerned that he will be responsible for Ben's blind side. I just don't think this guy is the answer but he's all we have right now so we will sink or swiw with him.

The one thing Villanueva has going for him which I think is helping him a ton in the NFL is discipline. Being in the military will help him maintain the mental side of the league. I won't question his physicality. I think the guy will get it together and become a solid lineman for the Steelers soon

 

[Skott]

I will say that when Bell broke that long run it looked like Villanueva who was stampeding down the field trying to block for him.

Or am i seeing things through my iron city goggles?

 

[mightyguru]

Dude represented himself well. I'm in. He just needs a chip block to help once in a while.

 

[slashsteel]

Dude represented himself well. I'm in. He just needs a chip block to help once in a while.

I think he obviously has great athletic skills. He just needs to fine tune it. And I think as the season goes he has the talent to be able to get better with repetition.

 

[FordFairLane]

For his first game going against a very good chiefs defensive line he did very well. I have some hope considering it was his first experience against NFL elite pass rushers. I don't remember seeing them leave a TE in to help him out either. I'm excited to see where he is a month from now and see if he develops.

 

[Shane Falco]

I agree with everyone here. He held his own up to the end. Hey, if you're going to cut your teeth, who better to do it on than an all pro rusher in Hali. I appreciate AV's self accountability. That's the West Point military officer coming out in him. I'm looking forward to watching this young man play.